4 answers
Valeria
Student
White Plains, New York
2
Questions
Asked
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Would double-majoring in Architecture as an Interior Design major give me more job opportunities ?
Would it be better to major in Architecture and minor in Interior Design, or could I do both and have them carry equal weight in my studies? I am more interested in Interior Design, but I feel like Architecture offers broader job opportunities. #Spring25
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4 answers
Céline Riard
Interior designer
11
Answers
Framingham, Massachusetts
Updated
Céline’s Answer
Hi Valeria! A double major is a great idea, but you are talking about two different skills and careers, both with a lot of knowledge and experience to gain. The college workload will be heavy, you may need few additional semesters to complete your education - more costly - you may burn out, but you may also realize that you are more drawn to one than the other and could always drop a major to a minor. If you think you have brain power and financial means to try a double major, DO IT.
Architects and interior designers have very different sets of skills. In residential design, architects will mostly worry about the outside of the house (symmetry of windows, roof pitch etc.), and need extensive knowledge of construction, materials etc. Sometimes the exterior symmetry requirements have bad consequences for the inside of the house, and you end up with windows that are not symmetrical in a room, or with closets, laundry rooms or even bathrooms that are not optimized. You will be a better architect and a better interior designer if you wear both caps. As an interior designer with 25 years of experience in construction and design (and a previous background in engineering), I work with architects all the time, and there is not a time when, as a team, we have not been able to improve the design all together.
If you do mostly residential architecture, or start your own business, this means you can do it all without having to hire or collaborate with an interior designer, which could increase your chances to get hired or gain clients. I cannot speak for architects but have met my fair share of bitter ones finding their job very repetitive. Architects also must be licensed, while for interior designers, it depends on the state.
I personally love being an interior designer. When I was a teenager, I wanted to become an architect (I loved math, geometry and physics), but went into engineering because I got discouraged by an interior designer and an architect (husband and wife) who told me you had to sell your soul to the devil to get contracts. I went into engineering because it felt safer. After a few years realizing I was not happy, I decided to go back to my original love, but was not ready, after a master's degree in engineering, to go back to college for another 4 years of education. So, I went for an associate degree in interior design. I did not know much when I graduated, but I learnt a lot on the job, on construction sites. And after working for 25 years as an interior designer, and having worked with many architects, I prefer to be an interior designer. I have even helped clients select windows, gutters, siding, roof shingles, deck material, pavers, and have designed decks and outdoor kitchens.
Architects and interior designers have very different sets of skills. In residential design, architects will mostly worry about the outside of the house (symmetry of windows, roof pitch etc.), and need extensive knowledge of construction, materials etc. Sometimes the exterior symmetry requirements have bad consequences for the inside of the house, and you end up with windows that are not symmetrical in a room, or with closets, laundry rooms or even bathrooms that are not optimized. You will be a better architect and a better interior designer if you wear both caps. As an interior designer with 25 years of experience in construction and design (and a previous background in engineering), I work with architects all the time, and there is not a time when, as a team, we have not been able to improve the design all together.
If you do mostly residential architecture, or start your own business, this means you can do it all without having to hire or collaborate with an interior designer, which could increase your chances to get hired or gain clients. I cannot speak for architects but have met my fair share of bitter ones finding their job very repetitive. Architects also must be licensed, while for interior designers, it depends on the state.
I personally love being an interior designer. When I was a teenager, I wanted to become an architect (I loved math, geometry and physics), but went into engineering because I got discouraged by an interior designer and an architect (husband and wife) who told me you had to sell your soul to the devil to get contracts. I went into engineering because it felt safer. After a few years realizing I was not happy, I decided to go back to my original love, but was not ready, after a master's degree in engineering, to go back to college for another 4 years of education. So, I went for an associate degree in interior design. I did not know much when I graduated, but I learnt a lot on the job, on construction sites. And after working for 25 years as an interior designer, and having worked with many architects, I prefer to be an interior designer. I have even helped clients select windows, gutters, siding, roof shingles, deck material, pavers, and have designed decks and outdoor kitchens.
Tamika Hooks (Cooke), MCP
Building Inspector
4
Answers
Fort Washington, Maryland
Updated
Tamika’s Answer
Hi there! You already seem like a dedicated worker, which is fantastic. Pursuing a double major can be demanding, but it’s definitely achievable with your determination. I earned my degree in Architecture, which often takes five years. We were in class from 9 to 5, much like a full-time job, and the workload was intense. But remember, this hard work opens up many doors. After graduating, I discovered I preferred working in construction over being a junior architect. An architecture degree is versatile; you can explore many areas in the industry, even interior design if that interests you. I wish you the very best, and remember, every choice you make is the right one for you.
Josh Guerra
Architect
8
Answers
Beaverton, Oregon
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Short answer, no this will not give you an advantage. I know many really great interior designers and architects and many times our professional work overlaps. Generally speaking, architects tend to focus on the whole building and balance many different factors: programming, aesthetics, technical design, and code compliance. Interior designers tend to focus on the finishes, lighting, and furnishing of the interior building. Many people who work in these fields tend to cross over quite a bit. Both professions need to be focused on providing services for our clients by communicating with drawings and models. Best of luck!
Céline Riard
Interior designer
11
Answers
Framingham, Massachusetts
Updated
Céline’s Answer
Hi Valeria! A double major is a great idea, but you are talking about two different skills and careers, both with a lot of knowledge and experience to gain. The college workload will be heavy, you may need few additional semesters to complete your education - more costly - you may burn out, but you may also realize that you are more drawn to one that the other, and could always drop a major to a minor. If you think you have the brain power and financial means to try a double major, DO IT.
Architects and interior designers have very different sets of skills. In residential design, architects will mostly worry about the outside of the house (symmetry of windows, roof pitch etc), and need extensive knowledge of construction, materials etc. Sometimes the exterior symmetry requirements have bad consequences for the inside of the house, and you end up with windows that are not symmetrical in a room, or with closets, laundry rooms or even bathrooms that are not optimized. You will be a better architect and a better interior designer if you wear both caps. As an interior designer with 25 years of experience in construction and design (and a previous background in engineering), I work with architects all the time, and there is not a time when, as a team, we have not been able to improve the design all together.
If you do mostly residential architecture, or start your own business, this means you can do it all without having to hire or collaborate with an interior designer, which could increase your chances to get hired or gain clients. I cannot speak for architects but have met my fair share of bitter ones finding their job very repetitive. Architects also have to be licensed, while for interior designers, it depends on the state.
I personally love being an interior designer. When I was a teenager, I wanted to become an architect (I loved math, geometry and physics), but went into engineering because I got discouraged by an interior designer and an architect (husband and wife) who told me you had to sell your soul to the devil to get contracts. I went into engineering because it felt safer. After few years realizing I was not happy, I decided to go back to my original love, but was not ready, after a master's degree in engineering, to go back to college for another 4 years of education. So I went for an associate degree in interior design. I did not know much when I graduated, but learnt a lot on the job, on construction sites. And after working for 25 years in interior designer, and havig worked with many architects, I prefer to be an interior designer. I have even helped clients select windows, gutters, siding, roof shingles, deck material, pavers, and have designed decks and outdoor kitchens.
Architects and interior designers have very different sets of skills. In residential design, architects will mostly worry about the outside of the house (symmetry of windows, roof pitch etc), and need extensive knowledge of construction, materials etc. Sometimes the exterior symmetry requirements have bad consequences for the inside of the house, and you end up with windows that are not symmetrical in a room, or with closets, laundry rooms or even bathrooms that are not optimized. You will be a better architect and a better interior designer if you wear both caps. As an interior designer with 25 years of experience in construction and design (and a previous background in engineering), I work with architects all the time, and there is not a time when, as a team, we have not been able to improve the design all together.
If you do mostly residential architecture, or start your own business, this means you can do it all without having to hire or collaborate with an interior designer, which could increase your chances to get hired or gain clients. I cannot speak for architects but have met my fair share of bitter ones finding their job very repetitive. Architects also have to be licensed, while for interior designers, it depends on the state.
I personally love being an interior designer. When I was a teenager, I wanted to become an architect (I loved math, geometry and physics), but went into engineering because I got discouraged by an interior designer and an architect (husband and wife) who told me you had to sell your soul to the devil to get contracts. I went into engineering because it felt safer. After few years realizing I was not happy, I decided to go back to my original love, but was not ready, after a master's degree in engineering, to go back to college for another 4 years of education. So I went for an associate degree in interior design. I did not know much when I graduated, but learnt a lot on the job, on construction sites. And after working for 25 years in interior designer, and havig worked with many architects, I prefer to be an interior designer. I have even helped clients select windows, gutters, siding, roof shingles, deck material, pavers, and have designed decks and outdoor kitchens.